A 44-year-old Louis Trichardt taxi boss was found dead at his rented house in Louis Trichardt on Monday morning. The Makhado police have opened an inquest docket following the incident.

Alpheus Nndwakhulu Ratshumana´s lifeless body was discovered by one of the tenants that morning. The cause of his death is still not known. Ratshumana was a member of the Dzanani Two Taxi Association that operates in the Sinthumule and Kutama areas.

Captain Maano Sadike said the man had only complained about a headache, but was not seriously ill. He said the police were continuing with investigations into the case.

"We received a call from the tenants on Monday morning, notifying us of Ratshumana´s death. No injuries or bruises were noticeable on the body. The post mortem will determine the cause of Ratshumana´s death," said Sadike.

Ratshumana is originally a resident of Ha-Mutsha village near Thohoyandou.

The chairperson for the Dzanani Taxi Association, Nyadzani Ramahala, said the organisation had lost a leader who would never be replaced. He said the organisation was saddened by Ratshumana´s untimely death. "He was such a good man and his inputs always made an impact in the organisation. He will be missed," he said.

According to Ramahala, everything seemed fine when Ratshumana attended the organisation´s meeting on Sunday. "He did not look like somebody who was ill. His death came as a shock to us. He was a good man," said Ramahala.

Ratshumana was an executive member of the taxi association at the time of his death and headed the disciplinary hearing portfolio committee.